Ford To Make India Its Export Hub, Says CEO

US-based car-maker Ford said it has decided to make India its export hub. “We have decided that India will be an export hub for Ford. We are exporting to more than 50 countries from here and are increasing it over the time,” said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive of Ford Motor.

Ford India has two manufacturing plants in the country – one in Gujarat and the other in Tamil Nadu.

“It is because our (Ford India) operations are great, our quality is great and our efficiency is great. It is just that the location of India is great for us (for exports),” added Mulally.

When asked whether Ford India lived up to his expectations, he said, “Remember Ford was in trouble in September eight years ago. We had the worst report in 2006. I remind you there was $17 billion loss to the company. If you are in business, you are going to have brackets around your numbers (net losses). We grew decisively. We not only survived, but are also prospering now.

“As soon as we attained profitability, we turned our attention to the Asia-Pacific. Our investments have been tremendous in India and China. These are the fastest growing markets in the world,” he noted.

Mulally also met the 3,600 employees at the Maraimalai Nagar plant in Tamil Nadu.